These are photographs I had taken and merged together on Pixlr Photo editor to create a new composition. I tried to include elements of Baines' work by emphasising the space around the subject. I also attempted to use the sybolism of an umbrella to represent a 'sheltering' from existential matters - as portrayed by Baines.

Two separate photographs merged together on Pixlr Photo Editor. 

These are all the compositions I have come up with so far.

"Try to realise it's all within yourself
No one else can make you change,
And to see you're really only very small
And life flows on within you and without you."

- George Harrison
(Sources(s): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsDfbpYXHRI)

I initially created this image (left) based upon a composition I had previously assembled (above). I had traced the figures on laminating sheets and painted behind them with tippex in order to add definition, I believe that this exaggerates the juxtaposition between subject and environment. I then placed the image onto a photograph I had taken in order to recreate the composition. Furthermore,I wanted to emphasise that we are 'only really very small' in comparison to the universe. Upon realising this the individual may feel overwhelmed which is the main reason why I decided to create a juxtaposition of scale. 
This is an idea that had stemmed from looking at Andrew Baines' work, as he seems to use scale in order to portray his concept. 

I then created this painting based upon my previous compositional experiment. 

This was created by roughly painting the image with acrylic paint.

I then traced the the figures from the photograph onto a laminating sheet which I then placed on top of the painting.

Windows ...

While experimenting with compositions I have become interested in the symbolism of windows. Throughout art and literature windows have been considered to be representative of separation from the outside world. Furthermore, a window provides the individual with a narrow view as they cannot see beyond what the window is showing them - thus suggesting that they have a limited view of the world. Existentially, the individual is sheltered by the window and protected by any of the hazards that exist on the outside.

This concept has lead my research into artists who have depicted windows in their own pieces to provoke a certain theme or mood. 

Study in Sunlight (1906)

One painter I have been looking at is Vilhelm Hammersoi (1864-1916). I was initially drawn to his work due to the simplicity of it as well as it's haunting melancholic tone. 

Hammershoi often painted the empty rooms of his house but occasionally the painter would include ambiguous figures in his paintings, with their backs towards the viewer. This is an ambiguity that I can liken to some of Baines' work. 


From looking at this image (left) Hammersoi seems to have been working with a limited pallette, which makes his painting seem monotonous. The sunlight, projected through the window conjures a sense of mystery, this is mainly because the window depicted in this painting is translucent therefore stopping the viewer from seeing what exists beyond it - however the sunlight provides a clue. This sense of mystery can be detected when looking at many paintings  by Hammersoi. 

Interior from Strandgade (1901)

Another example of this can be seen when looking at Hammersoi's piece Interior from Strandgade which depicts his wife, Ida, facing away from the viewer while sitting with her head tilted downwards.   It can be seen that the artists has used the same setting for this particular piece however, this time, the windows have curtains hanging from them, which emphasises the individual being 'shut off' from the outside world. The fact that we cannot see beyond the window makes the viewer feel as if they are 'trapped' within the painting this, therefore, creates the need for an escape - making the viewer feel anxious. 

(Source(s): http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2008/august/vilhelm-hammersh%C3%B8i-and-the-poetry-of-silence http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/gallery/2008/jun/25/art.denmark http://www.theartroomonline.net/2012_10_01_archive.html )

 This is my attempt at creating a sketch of Hammershoi's piece.

I wanted to focus on the geometric shapes as a lot of Hammershoi's paintings have a very geometric style.

I mages

The View

As I sit crouched by the window,

staring ahead at the dark skies folding,

it is realised that without any sunlight,

the view can be much more pleasing.

There's no need to scorn at the litter rolling by,

nor see the crowds huddled on the ground,

nor cringe at the decay on the walls of this town.

Instead-

I could ponder landscapes in the horizon of my mind,

Imagine smells of blossom

and the beauty left behind.

I could cross the bridge to paradise,

that flourished in my thought,

or find another universe that masters never taught.

But -

I witness dawn creeping in again,

exposing fractured branches,

crumpled leaves,

the worn down pavement

and fallen trees.

This reality isn't mine.